Basic Grey + Curio = Knickknackery

As you know, I ♥ all things Basic Grey. I can't seem to get enough of them. I think I may have or be in the process of making a quilt in every line they've ever come out with. I love, Love, LOVE Basic Grey!!!!


Above is an original pattern that I am working on using Basic Grey Curio line from Moda


It will be 54" x 54" and has a working title of Knickknackery

What do you heart? What can you not get enough of? What will you drive a 100 miles just to get?


Please note the colors may be off as I took the photos at night.

Until next time,

Quilt-Uber-Fest - Thoroughly Modern Monkey Wrench

Welcome!!!! Are you having fun making all the amazing blocks? I know I am. I love all the talent of this group and how we all see things so differently. If you have not had a chance check out Erin Singleton of Two More Seconds block please do so. It's cute to boot.


Before I dive too much feather into this post I guess I had better tell you what Quilt-Uber-Fest is. My good friend Scott has all the info on his blog and you may find out more about it there. Since Scott has taken the time to re-invent the wheel for Quilt-Uber-Fest I will let you read all about it on his blog. No sense in me redoing it.


The fabrics used in all the blocks are selections from Nel Whatmore's Sleeping Beauty line for Free Spirit Fabrics, Kaffe Fassett's Wovens, and a solid of our choice.

I can't wait to see what Nel will think of my block since she and I have been trading e-mails back and forth. I'm calling my block

Thoroughly Modern Monkey Wrench

Click on the title of the block and it will give you the PDF of how to make it.


Don't forget to check out Emily Cier blog post tomorrow, where she will be sharing her block in the Quilt-Uber-Fest.


Please be sure to post a photo of the block you make in the Quilt Uber-Fest Flickr Pool! Lots of great blocks are already appearing in the group.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time,

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

Rest In Peace Steve Jobs, you were truly a visionary. #isad

(Quilt block to honor a great man)

Until next time,

Celebrate Christmas with Happy Little Trees

Have you been having fun checking out all the great quilt blocks that everyone is making? I know I have. What a great bunch and talented group of designers Michele has chosen for the Christmas Quilt Along and Super Deals. I love seeing all the great blocks everyone has come up with using Christmas or Christmas like fabrics. I find it amazing how you can dig in your stash and pull out some fabrics that don't even remind you of Christmas, but when you place them together it makes you dream of sugar plum fairies or Santa and his eight reindeer.

I would love to see the finished quilt that you make with any of the 36 blocks. If it just happens to include my block be sure to post it in my the Qubee Quilts I made it Flicker group.

Without further ado I bring you my 12" block entitled "Happy Little Trees"

"Happy Little Trees" PDF

Don't forget to check out tomorrows featured designer Jennifer – of SewHooked where she is going to show us her amazing 12" Christmas block.


Remember to let me know you were here by leaving me a comment below. I would love to hear from you.


If you like my work be sure to follow my blog and sign up to have upcoming posts delivered to your e-mail. You may find a link on the right hand side of the blog.


Until next time,

Men Quilt Too! The Quilt Show!!!

A great big welcome to everyone that is joining me here for the Men Quilt Too Quilt show.

I am a quilter and pattern designer living in Kansas City, Missouri. I enjoy collecting all kinds of fabric, especially Fat Quarters and I design traditional quilts with a modern twist to make them uniquely my own. I also enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time outside when I’m not quilting.

Qubee Quilts?  People always ask me how I came with my company's name.  I was looking for a name I could use online and just could not come up with one.  I asked a group of my friends who knew I quilted what name I could use and one of them joking said I could be called “Quilter Boy”.  No, I said that is a little over the top.  Then another said you could use the initials QB.  Again, I said no.  They would think of me as a quarter back.  Another said why not spell it out.  How would you do that?  I said.  Qubie he said and your company name could be Qubee as in quilting bee. 

As you can see my name and company name have a bit of a meaning for me and seems to be very fitting.  

Being a male quilter, trying to gain acceptance in what is traditionally a woman’s art has been a long and difficult journey for me.  Many considered it abnormal for a male to want to quilt. But I ask you - what is normal really?  Who decided that only women could be quilters? 

You may be shocked to learn, men CAN BE creative and talented with fabric too. Art in itself is non-sexist.  An artist’s vision, creativity, and appreciation for design know not boundaries of gender!

Women have always found it hard when trying to get into a predominately male field. I have found it just as difficult to get into quilting.  I run into huge road blocks of women who think men do not know anything about sewing or quilting.  My only defense is to turn on the charm and let them know that I really do know what I’m talking about.  A few have had to eat their own words and apologize.  I have had to work hard to get where I am today.  It has never been easy.

All too frequently, I hear women say, “Wow, I’m amazed at how much you really do know about sewing.  Most men don’t have a clue!”

I am here to tell you that I would not have survived this long as a professional in the industry if I didn’t know what I was doing!  I have worked at a fabric store for six years. Currently, I manage a major sewing machine manufactures retail sales and education location.

I am thrilled to be a part of the show and showcase my work. I love to get up on the table and start dancing, but I will will save that for another place and another time. We are here to view my awesome quilts. Yes, they are awesome because my mother has told me so. I think I could quilt up some dog poo and she would still say it is awesome. She still has the very first quilt I ever gave her and loves it to death. Every time I look at it I see every little mistake I had made, but mom always said from a galloping horse no one would ever notice. You know, she is right.

So sit back and have a few sips of your favorite drink or cocktail and enjoy the show. Oh and don't forget to leave me a comment to let me know that you were here. I'd love to hear from you.

In no order what so ever, here is some of my work. BTW, please feel free to touch my quilts. I don't mind. You can even get naked and roll around in them. :-)

Flights of Nature -Original Pattern

Written in the Stars - Original Pattern

Christmas Quilt Along - Original Pattern

Frosted Stars - Original Pattern

Love - Original Pattern

Moon Garden - Original Pattern

Oh Lollipop - Original Pattern published in February 2011 edition of Quilters World Magazine

Whirlygiggles

Prairie Stars - Original Pattern

Pleated Bliss Table Runner - Original Pattern

Sunday Squares - Original Pattern

I Hope you have enjoyed the show. Be sure to come back and see me again.

I will be sharing my block in Celebrate Christmas on Tuesday, October 4th and Quilt-Uberfest! on Friday, October 14th. Both are online quilt alongs, where I will showcase an original quilt block.

If you like my work be sure to follow my blog and sign up to have upcoming posts delivered to your e-mail. You may find a link on the right hand side of the blog.

Until next time,

Aurifil Giveaway Winners

It's that time once again where we get to draw some winners!!! This time I drawing for the beautiful Aurifil thread.

Our first winner is

Our second winner is

Congrats to you you both.  I hope you enjoy Aurifil as much as we do here at Qubee Quilts.

Thanks to Auirifil and Lola Pink Fabrics for making this giveaway possible.

Until next time,

Thirteen Questions With Zeus - Ray

Welcome to another fun filled edition of Thirteen Questions with Zeus. Where Zeus and I introduce fellow followers of Qubee Quilts to you, our readers. Here you can learn about other quilters like yourself and know that we are not alone and maybe reach out and find a new quilting friend.

Today Zeus and I would like to introduce you to our new quilting friend Ray Lusk of Star Valley Stitching. Zeus was so happy to meet another male quilter.

• Tell us a little bit about yourself?
  

My name is Ray Lusk. I'm a quilter, sewer, knitter,crocheter and general jack of all trades, master of none. I live in a beautiful area called Star Valley Wyoming. I love animals and have dogs.

• What is your quilting background? (When did you first get started into quilting)

I first started quiltingabout 2 years ago after I decided that there was no reason why I couldn't start working on my "bucket list" my mother had taught us all to sew when we were young so that gave me a little background knowledge to start me off. I went to a neighbor who is a wonderful quilter and she got me started and well,the rest is history. I now do custom machine quilting on my home sewing machine and work a lot with sewing for human atarian aid efforts.

• Have you always been a quilter or did you start out doing something else?

I had been a knitter previously and still am and enjoy them both.

• What inspires you?

I'm inspired by the many colors and textures around me and just life in general.

• What is your favorite color to use in your quilts?

Oh I don't know… The problem is I love them all so my quilts tend to travel the spectrum color wise.

• I was always taught that quilts need to be 100% cotton. Cotton fabric, cotton batting and cotton backing, but now am learning to use other types of fabrics in my quilts. Is this the case for you?

I still am just using 100% cotton for everything. I love colors and textures and the way that some fabric feels. So my stash isn't all similar types or lines of fabric, it comes from all over and I love it. I love patterns and colors so fabric just fills that need.

• What does modern quilting mean to you?

I think modern quilting means the use of more bold shapes and dimensions. But that is just me.

• What is your least and most favorite part of quilting and why for each?

Well this is a hard question… I love piecing and cutting the fabric and the actual quilting. I love watching it all come together and seeing it come out better than I had pictured in my mind. My least favorite part is probably the binding, and I think that is because I'm not the best at it.

• When making a quilt do you follow a pattern or make it up as you go along?

I do a little of both. There are times when I follow the pattern exactly and others when I just grab fabric and go.

• Do you consider yourself a rule breaker in quilting?

No because I don't know all the rules :-)

• How can others find out more about you?

I have a website, or you can email or follow me on twitter :)

• Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about you?

That about covers it.

Zeus and I would like to thank you for spending a little time with us today. It was great getting to know more about you. Don't be a stranger. I hope you can join us again sometime and maybe we could meet your dogs.

Until next time,

Celebrate Christmas quilt-along

It’s time for some quilting fun this Fall. Over 12 weeks, 36 designers will create blocks for the Celebrate Christmas quilt-along. These blocks will be featured, 3 per week, on the Quilting Gallery site starting September 13th. In addition to the blocks, there will be Super Deals for Quilters from our favourite online retailers.

• Featured Designers (quick links to the blocks)
• Super Deal Advertisers (quick links to the savings)
• Blog Posts – Blocks and Super Deals are here!
• Upload your blocks – Flickr Group

Campaign Highlights

• Start: September 13, 2011
• End: December 1, 2011
• Length: 12 weeks
• 36 designers creating 12" blocks for quilters to make.
• Designer profiles, their blocks and a Super Deal for Quilters will be featured each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Quilters can complete the blocks and upload to our Flickr group to share their creations and for a chance to win hand-painted Buttons from Incomparable Buttons.
• Completed quilts and projects made with the quilt-along blocks will be featured in next January’s Weekly Quilt Contests.

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Advertisers – Super Deals for Quilters

With the Christmas quilting season fast approaching, the Super Deal advertising is an excellent opportunity for online quilt shops to increase their site traffic and make sales. If you’re interested in being a Super Deal advertiser, pleaseemail me and I’ll send you the information package.

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Upload your Blocks to Flickr to WIN some Buttons!

Incomparable Buttons have donated 36 buttons cards to be awarded to quilt-along participants.

Here’s how it works. You’ll have two weeks from when a quilt-along block has been published to make the block then upload it to our Flickr group. The staff at Button Mad – Incomparable Buttons will be reviewing the photos and choosing one winner for each of our blocks. Winners will be contacted via Flickr mail from Button Mad. Super simple!

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Join me right here on Qubee Quilts, on October 4th 2011 where I will unveil the block I have designed for the Celebrate Christmas quilt-along.

Until next time,

String Qutiling - WINNERS post

Thanks to everyone who has entered to win their very own copy of

The winner was drawn using the Random Number Generator.Our lucky winner is....

Number 33, Janet!

Congrats to our lucky winner! If you didn't win and still want your own copy of String Quilting Today. Head on over to Clotilde to get your very own.

Don't forget that there is still time to enter to win some amazing thread from Aurifil on this post.

Until next time,

Lola Pink Fabrics & AURIFIL - Giveaway

Make up your mind to have no regrets

Recline yourself, resign yourself, you're through

I always get what I aim for

And your heart'n soul is what I came for

Whatever Lola wants

Lola gets,

Lola Pink Fabrics wanted a thread that was strong like their passion, but soft like their emotions and it seems they have gotten it with Aurifil.

Lola Pink Fabrics will be carrying the 50 wt cotton thread in a variety of colors.

50 wt Aurifil thread is great for:

• Hand applique' : Ideal for all types of hand applique' . From needle turning to using prepared shapes, the 50wt is thin and with all the colors available you can match your shape perfectly.

• Hand piecing : A great weight for hand piecing.

• Lace : Wonder for both Bobbin lace & Machine lace

• Longarm quilting : Perfect for creating texture where you don’t want the thread to be a feature. Backgrounds, stitch in the ditch, basting quilts, wholecloth quilting, micro quilting for dense background designs. Match bobbin thread.

• Machine applique' : Ideal when a very fine finish is desired. This weight disappears so your fabric is the feature. Use for a straight stitch, small zig zag, Blind hemming stitch and Blanket stitch

• Machine embroidery : Love it! Great results every time. Use Mako 50wt in the bobbin as well, or your regular bobbin thread – in which case tighten the top tension a little. Use a Microtex 80/12 or Titanium Top Stitch 80/12 needle.

• Machine piecing : Gives a great result with a nice flat seam every time.

• Machine quilting : Use for very detailed machine quilting with a lot of back tracking such as feathers and heavy background quilting . Perfect for quilting that creates texture when you don’t necessarily want to see the quilting lines. Use the same thread in the bobbin. Titanium Top Stitch 80/12 needle

As you can see Aurifil thread is perfectly suited for every quilt project.  


Head on over to Lola Pink Fabrics and pick up your Aurifil thread today!! Now until Saturday, September 17th all Aurifil thread is 20% off.   They have 32 luscious colors in 50 weight cotton mako Large Spools - 1,422 yards (1,300 meters)


Because Lola Pink Fabrics is now going to carry Aurifil thread, I am giving away some of this amazing Aurifil thread to two of my blog readers.  All you have to do is head over to Lola Pink Fabrics , then come back and leave a comment here and tell me something about what they sell.  Could be fabric, patterns, notions, threads or even an upcoming item you will just have to buy when it comes in.  Lola Pink Fabrics is becoming your one stop quilt shop.  When you want the best think Aurifil and Lola Pink Fabrics.  Remember Now until Saturday, September 17th all Aurifil thread is 20% off.


I will draw two winners using the Random Number Generator and announce them here on Friday September 16, 2011! Only one entry per person. All duplicate entries will be deleted! Only blogger comments count as this is posted to Facebook also.



Until next time,